Boldin agrees to contract

Tuesday

Mar 4, 2014 at 12:01 AMMar 4, 2014 at 3:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO — While chatter has swirled about Jim Harbaugh's future with the 49ers in recent weeks, wide receiver Anquan Boldin has secured his status in San Francisco — and even credited the coach for his decision to come back.

The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — While chatter has swirled about Jim Harbaugh's future with the 49ers in recent weeks, wide receiver Anquan Boldin has secured his status in San Francisco — and even credited the coach for his decision to come back.

The franchise gave him a few million other reasons, too.

The 49ers signed Boldin to a two-year, $12 million contract with $9 million guaranteed Monday, keeping quarterback Colin Kaepernick's top option from last season and one of Harbaugh's favorites from hitting free agency.

"He's a guy I had a real good relationship with," Boldin said about Harbaugh on a conference call with reporters. "Me and him were able to talk about anything. And I just like his demeanor, the way he approaches the game. He's a guy that wants to win. I'm the exact same way. So I think we mesh pretty good."

Boldin, who was set to become a free agent next week, led San Francisco with 85 catches for 1,179 yards to go with seven touchdowns last season. He was traded from John Harbaugh's Ravens to the 49ers in the offseason for a sixth-round pick after helping Baltimore win the Super Bowl.

While the salary cap strapped Ravens failed to make the playoffs, the 49ers finished 12-4 during the regular season — in part because Boldin filled the void created by an offseason torn right Achilles tendon that sidelined Michael Crabtree for the first 11 games. Boldin's performances earned him the Bill Walsh Award, given to the team MVP by the coaches.

Boldin's return to San Francisco was not all that surprising.

Harbaugh said at last week's NFL Scouting Combine that the franchise was determined to re-sign the wide receiver, and Boldin had repeatedly said he wanted to come back. The sides hashed out the deal before Boldin could become a free agent for the first time in his 11-year career.